Objectives: Contact with nature is a source of resilience and well-being, and nature-based interventions (NBIs) potentially support older adults’ health and self-efficacy. Health-related outcomes of NBIs depend not only on the surroundings and activity, but also on the perceived nature connection. Although NBIs are implemented in assisted living facilities (ALFs), the nature connection has not been investigated in this setting. This study explores how individual nature connection is associated with psychological well-being among residents in ALFs, and how this is affected by mobility.
Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey study.
Setting and participants: A total of 854 residents (aged ≥55 years) in 25 ALFs in the metropolitan area of Helsinki, Finland, were included in this study.
Methods: Demographics, diagnoses, and medications were confirmed from medical records, whereas mobility and psychological well-being were assessed using self-reported measures. Responders graded the importance of different ways to interact with nature. The score on the 12-item Gerontological Nature Connection Scale (GNCS) was used for assessment of nature connection.
Results: Participants’ mean age was 83 years, multimorbidity was common, and 54% were diagnosed with dementia. The GNCS score was associated with psychological well-being, especially with life satisfaction, feeling needed, and zest for life. Exploratory factor analysis recognized variation in ways to interact with nature, describing the dimensions of (1) nature in mind, (2) outdoor accessibility, and (3) nature apprehension. Accessing the outdoors was important, and furthermore, for participants with poor mobility, a higher GNCS score was related to better psychological well-being.
Conclusions and implications: Nature connection supports psychological well-being, especially when mobility is poor. Our findings support the development of NBIs in the care of older adults as part of the evolving field of nature-based social prescribing. Understanding individual needs is essential for effective and safe interventions.
